Is ‘Heartstopper Forever’ worth watching? What critics are saying about Netflix’s romance movie.

Netflix’s Heartstopper has reached its final chapter with Heartstopper Forever, a movie that brings the hit coming-of-age romance series to a close.

Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, the series follows British teenagers Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), whose unlikely friendship blossoms into first love. Since its 2022 debut, its uplifting portrayal of an LGBTQ romance has helped make it one of Netflix’s standout young-adult dramas.

After three seasons, Netflix has chosen to conclude Charlie and Nick’s story with a feature-length movie rather than renew the show for a fourth season. But does Heartstopper Forever deliver a fitting farewell? Here’s what critics are saying — and whether they think it’s worth watching.

What to know about ‘Heartstopper Forever’

• ⏱️ Runtime: 114 minutes 

• 🎬 Streaming on: Netflix

• 🎭 Cast: Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Anna Maxwell Martin

Picking up after the events of season 3, Heartstopper Forever follows Charlie, 17, and Nick, 18, as they face the biggest change in their relationship yet. With Nick preparing to leave for university and Charlie beginning his final year at school, the couple must navigate the reality of spending more time apart than ever before.

The story also catches up with the friends who’ve been alongside them throughout the series as they begin making decisions about their futures — and come to terms with the fact they won’t all be heading in the same direction.

“I hope people enjoy the ending,” Oseman told Netflix’s Tudum. “Wrapping up a story that’s been going on for so long is a challenge. But I hope that people feel satisfied and that Heartstopper has brought them joy.”

What critics liked

Most critics agree Heartstopper Forever delivers a fitting conclusion to Nick and Charlie’s story, with Connor and Locke’s performances earning praise.

TechRadar described the film as a “compelling” and “remarkably satisfying” end to the franchise, while celebrity.land hailed it as “a fitting farewell to the characters we’ve grown to know and love.”

According to The Telegraph, the movie continues to provide the “queer escapism” that has made the series so beloved, delivering “hope and happiness” for LGBTQ young people and their families.

Variety viewed Heartstopper Forever as “a lovely bookend” to Nick and Charlie’s story, saying it captures “all the emotions wrapped up in growing pains” while delivering “a fitting goodbye.”

The New York Times praised the way the franchise “graduates into adulthood,” highlighting Connor’s “profound emotional weight” as Nick and Locke’s “quiet resilience” as Charlie.

The A.V. Club highlighted the film’s “poignant and wholesome” tone and Connor and Locke’s “seamless chemistry,” while TheWrap labeled it “profoundly romantic” and “essential viewing” for longtime fans.

What critics didn’t like

Not every critic was convinced the move from TV series to feature film paid off.

celebrity.land said the shorter runtime “comes at the expense of its supporting cast,” with some “relegated to only a few lines.” TheWrap shared similar concerns, saying the finale “sidelines most of the show’s beloved ensemble.” 

The A.V. Club also felt the movie was “a little too busy” to spend enough time with Charlie and Nick’s friends.

The Guardian argued Heartstopper Forever leans too heavily on fan service and feels like “a love letter to the franchise itself” rather than a story that takes its characters somewhere new.

Is ‘Heartstopper Forever’ worth watching?

Ending a series is never easy, but Heartstopper Forever appears to stick the landing. Most critics felt the movie delivers the conclusion fans had been hoping for, even if not every aspect works quite as well as the series at its best. 

If you’ve watched all three seasons, the reviews suggest this is a finale worth seeing through. Newcomers, however, are better off starting with the series before jumping into its final chapter.